Which gas saving vehicles are the most comfortable for tall people such as myself (6’5″)?
No hybrids please and 4 cylinder models only.
I’m 6’5″ and in the market for a new vehicle. The only thing that matters to me is that it’s a 4 banger that gets great gas mileage in the 25-30+ mpg range and no less. I’ve test driven a lot of cars, but they just sit way too low to the ground for my liking.
I feel like I have to crawl down into them and I don’t like the way you have to literally reach for the wheel like it’s 4 feet in front of you. A lot of people have mentioned the Ford Escape, but a co-worker had a 2wd 4 banger model as a rental car once and the best she got out of the thing was 22-23 mpg.
I love Ford Rangers, but the last 4 cylinder model I had only got 22 mpg highway. I feel like I’m in a rut here. Am I just gonna have to realize that there just aren’t any comfortable non-hybrids for tall people that get 30+ mpg?
Related Product:
Nike+ SportBandThe Nike+ SportBand tracks your distance, pace, time and calories burned while you run in an easy-to-read display. It's also your connection to the wo... Read More >
Related Posts
Filed under Gas Conservation FAQ by on Nov 10th, 2010. Comment. 
Leave a Comment
Comments on Which gas saving vehicles are the most comfortable for tall people such as myself (6’5″)?
If you want mileage to be above 30 mpg, you’d have to stick to cars. Some cars are roomier than others due to high roof line. Such cars are Ford Focus and Pontiac Vibe. I have Vibe since 2003 and it is very roomy with tall roof line and with folded seats, you can put same amount of stuff in it as in Grand Cherokee or Escape… Plus, I get close to 30mpg city and hwy combined.
Which model Ranger was that?
The 98-01 2.5L I4 did not get stellar MPGs for what it was.
The newer 2.3L Duratec DOHC I4 should eat that for lunch in terms of power and MPGs.
I’m not sure what is comfy for a 6’5″ guy, though, as I’m 5’11″…you have to sit in the rides yourself.
Try a Volkswagen Beetle. I’m serious.
(You’ll still be fairly low to the ground, but hey.)
Get the new Ranger with the 2.3 Duratec four-cylinder and a five-speed.
I drive a 2006 Ranger XL daily– looks like a parts runner truck from an auto parts store, only mine doesn’t have the fleet numbers on the front fender. Typically, if I watch my speed and shift at the recommended intervals (10/20/30/40 mph shift points according to the owner’s manual), I can get 28 mpg or better on the highway. If I stay at 55 or below, that number rockets up to 32-plus mpg. At times when I’ve driven 55 on my commute and could go a week without running the air conditioner, I’ve gotten all the way up to 38 mpg a couple of times. Of course, those couple of times are the definite exception, not the rule.
But I should probably qualify all of that by saying that 90% of my driving is on divided four-lane highway with no traffic lights.
Remember, you are the biggest variable in what kind of efficiency you’ll get. Drive smoothly. Limit quick starts and stops. Using the brakes equates to wasted fuel, so try to coast up to stoplights and allow them time to change while you’re still rolling if possible. Also, regular maintenance on your vehicle is key. I change my oil every 3,000 miles and always use factory-specified Motorcraft 5w-20 oil and FL400S filter. I also mind my tire pressures– I run at 32 psi front, 36 rear. At an indicated 50,000 miles, the original Contitracs on the front are still in great shape– but again, this probably has something to do with the majority of my driving being on straight highways with very little turning necessary.